Travel Tips

Hello, Corey here. Mary is on vacation and I'm doing some blog entries in her place. She has jetted off to Russia. No, not to fix the government, but to tour the country, see some Russian opera and ballet, and get away from it all.

Seeing her get ready for the trip made me think it might be nice to share some travel tips for vacationing in other countries. I know it has nothing to do with the East Bay or real estate, but perhaps someone will find these helpful. We'll be back to the regular topics soon!

• Make sure you have the right outlet adapters to take with you. Check with a local travel or luggage store for guidance.
• Take a mix of cash, traveler's checks and credit cards so you are always covered. Keep your money well-hidden. And, let your credit card company know that you are going overseas and which country your account might see activity from. And, just don't take anything valuable, like jewelery, that can't be replaced if it is lost or stolen.
• Make 2 sets of copies of your passport, itinerary, and related travel documents. Leave one set with family or friends, and take the other with you and keep it in a separate place. If you lose anything, this will be invaluable.
• Travel light. Take clothes that all match each other and can be worn several times. Take books or magazines that can be left behind.
• Check with your cell phone company if you will have service in your destination country. And, if you do, how much it will cost to use it. It is a vacation, so try to ditch the cell phone if possible and carry a calling card for emergencies.
• Avoid jet lag by going to bed early for a few days before your departure, staying hydrated on the plane, and giving yourself some time to adjust when you get to your destination.

And, have fun!